Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-11-19
The Last Of the Cragshaws'
New YORK Graphic.

the very Jay thab hVt "'N
Their left her an orphan-an orphan
without iticnds-and the last OF the
New England Cragshawh
1t was on Sunday that he died lie
was buried on Tuesday morning. Tues
day afternoon Lois Crasshaw walked
away from the lonely house that was
hers now down the road TO the village,
She walked rapidly. as il with
set purpose and her lips
worked as il her mind was
busy with words that we're soon TO DO
spoken. She met those that knew her.
but she did not see them. nor did she
seem to feel the looks OF wonder and
OF disapproyal bent on her by those
who had seen her standing that very
morning, mute, fearless and unmoved
by her fathers open grave.
She passed them all unheedins by.
Her steps quickened even more. and
the color rose TO her cheeks as with
one who nears his end Her breath
came fast as she sprang up the steps
OF the little brown shop that was
really the only dollar mark OF the VII
iage. Glancina around her. not a.
the loungers who looked at her, but nj
the objects scattered on the narrow
shelves and counters, she fixed her
eyes on a shelf that hid itself
in one dnsky corn0r away below
Others that were wider and more pre-
tentious. This seemed 10 b. what
she sought. for her face soltrned III.
tie while il grew no less earnest, and
her strained muscles RELAXED, and her
body showed mo than her manner
that she was preparing 10 walt her
turn.
one by one the waiting people, scTv.
ed or satisfied with much staring.
turned away and gave 10 the next hrs
lawful rights. Some, IL u true, went
no further than the doorway, where
:hey stopped to talk in los tones and
with many glances ~ Lois. but ibis
the brown old man who waited on
them seemed to understand and sym,
pathizs with, Tor he paid no heed
TO them, hut walked AZ once TO
where Lois Cragshaw stood. sie did
not see him. Her eyea Were fixed on
that little lower shelf. md SHE started
when liu said to her--soilly. for her
drawn, excited tacs alnost frightened
him--"Hel. Loist' Shr started 80
when he spoke to her that be spoke
again rs to a child. With tins quayvr.
ing sOitness oil an old man.
Well, Lois, what can give yonto.
day.
"That" she said. and pointed to
the little lower snsii.
Tie old man followed with his eyes
tile direction Of her finger. He bent
forward TO look more closely in the
dusky corner at what the shelf con
tanned.
That" said Louis again. as Il he
had not heard her.
4 tear came into The eye Of the kind
old man rs he remembered what folks
had said ol her mother III years gone
past And he said to himself. Poor
Loisl Her wits are gone. too, sure
enough"
That! said Lois Craeshaw. leaning
over the stained and whitfield roun.
ter
Yes, yes, Lois" gently spoke the
awed snor.keppcF with an air 81 lisht.
ness he was far from feeling. "But
there, more'n one that here Which
that would sc have?"
=. he red one. she said. 1.-THE red
one next the blue onel oh, don't We
see?"
Yes. indecdy. indeedy' Sure enough
Ill give IL yel Wait q minute an mi
dust tic durt OH fur ye." lie yRid with
n glance ut her black gown. sure
enough Lois, I'll give IL 70 yp'''
Careful y turning his back upo n her
lie rubbed the covers Of small r,d
book with his big ginhnm handler.
chief, then slowly turned and gave Il
70 hcr she was waiting. one hand
outstretchtd. The fingers twitchine m
the other hand was the purse she had
not forgotten, so strong was her H..
SIRE Tor possession. The gaping neigh.
bors gnsped ms they saw the old straw.
ped wallet, into which so many bnd
paid tho ransom from a sharp bay.
gain, but from which none c6nld ra.
member having wrested an extra con.
per
How much is it2" asked Lois in a
hot whisper.
The man shuddered a little M ths
thought Of n dead mans money "a
soon coming into hit tin. but lds
tthritt got the better OF his supersti.
ton. Pe''s'
We'll, ! used to say dollar'n fiftv.
but lolks about here don't scem ~
take much to that sort o. thing. an'
ihey We been lyin' around In that
tulch for some time. ri call n seven
much" Pe'y
The girl plainly chaied under tbo !
Dld man = volubiIity, but without n
"ord she counted out the money--ail. |
yer pieces all green and mouldv wh.r,
shey had lain 20 long in her miser ia
yner keeping. aud without n word |
hurried from the door. w."
Down the street che fled. The Ian, |
req rays OF n long afternoons hot smn
,giarchihg IKE arrows for her hearts
'.9ou, her fnce now blotchud. now |
MED with sudden feelings. Her limbs |
.femoled with that weakness which q
'trength to q fevered creature a. :
maniac, and her both hands elufcbsJ
between. them the little red book
onseeinR eyes and unguided feet led
!eT along the oit.trod path TO her lone.
y mouse, and the habit OF years drew
Ter thence To tho rooea 4ty vtoW
w., ,od 9n,y reitge--hardly more than a |
' 'o,l Den beneath the eaycs-.but
~ own she was free TO use nny !
10. Hoin ~ the house as hers now. bnt
. ne qua not think of that. One idss
va - u her mind then. sheturned The
s,ooien button on Tho dnnr -,